Tuesday, October 30, 2012

KV Racing Technology announced Tuesday morning the signing of Simona De Silvestro to pilot one of the team's IZOD IndyCar Series entry in 2013, alongside teammate Tony Kanaan.

“I’m really excited to be joining KV Racing Technology,” De Silvestro said, “I think it’s going to be great having Tony as a teammate. It’s never easy to make a change like this, but I’m confident that it’s the right move for me going forward. I do want to thank Keith and HVM Racing for helping me gain a ton of experience these last three years. Even though we struggled last year with our engine, I learned a lot. Now it’s time to move on and look forward to next season. I’m proud of the fact that I’m the spokesperson for the Nuclear Clean Air Energy campaign and very happy that Entergy, AREVA, and all my sponsors will continue to support my racing efforts”.

De Silvestro will bring along Nuclear Clean Air Energy sponsorship with the move from HVM Racing and will continue running the No. 78.

"I am very happy to welcome Simona to KV Racing Technology," says team co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven. "I have been watching her race for many years and she shows tremendous talent. I think we will really see this on the road/street courses and having Tony as a teammate will provide her a wealth of information, so I am excited for what the 2013 season will hold."

Imran Safiulla, a supporter of De Silvestro since her pre-Atlantics days, will also make the move from HVM to KVRT as a team principal.

Kanaan will work as De Silvestro's first teammate since making the move to IndyCar in 2010.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway board of directors voted Sunday during a special meeting to remove Randy Bernard as Chief Executive Officer of the INDYCAR. IMS President and CEO Jeff Belskus was appointed interim CEO, a position he held for 7-months prior to Bernard's signing.

"We are very grateful for the tireless effort that Randy has invested into learning, understanding and working to grow the IndyCar Series over the last three racing seasons," Belskus said. "As both Randy and our organization have reflected on the past season and as we look toward the opportunities ahead and how to best take advantage of them, we agreed that the timing was right to pursue separate paths."

Bernard, however, will stay involved with the series under an 'avisory' role.

"I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the entire INDYCAR community, its teams, drivers, loyal partners and fans," Bernard said. "The last three years have produced some exciting, and some difficult, times. But we have created a foundation for INDYCAR that positions it to grow over the next several years, and I am proud of what everyone at INDYCAR has been able to accomplish since I came on board.""I want to thank the Hulman-George family, especially Josie (George), for giving me the opportunity and privilege to work with the organization and to help set a course and direction for INDYCAR," Bernard said. "With the family's firm commitment to the betterment of the sport and the dedication of our teams, drivers, partners and fans, INDYCAR is better poised for success than it has been in many years."
Bernard joined INDYCAR, then the IRL, in March 2010 after a 15-year stint as CEO of the Professional Bull Riders, Inc."I have developed a passion for the sport of INDYCAR, and I look forward to being involved at a strategic level as an advisor to the INDYCAR leadership," Bernard said. "As INDYCAR fans, we need to unify behind the sport in order to move it to the next level, and I look forward to providing input and being part of that unified voice along the way."

Belskus went on to restate that the Hulman and Company is not interested in selling the series.

"The organization is full of talented professionals, and we will continue to prepare for what will be a very exciting 2013 racing season," Belskus said. "Once again, INDYCAR is not for sale, and the organization remains completely committed to owning and operating INDYCAR."

Monday, October 22, 2012

Andretti Autosport announced today the signing of Carlos Muñoz to pilot the #26 Dialy-Ser Firestone Indy Lights entry full-time in 2013, in addition to a 4th IZOD IndyCar Series car at Indianapolis.

Muñoz's deal is very similar to that of Sebastian Saavedra's 2012 schedule in which he ran the full FIL season, along with three IndyCar events with AFS Racing in partnership with Andretti Autosport.

"I am just so happy that Andretti Autosport has given me the opportunity to drive (in the Indy 500) for them," said Muñoz. "Especially after they just won the championship with Ryan (Hunter-Reay). It means a lot that they trust in my capabilities with it being my first IndyCar race. It's a great honor and I know that there will be some pressure there to do a good job. My first priority is to start the (Firestone) Indy Lights season on a positive note and work each weekend at winning the championship. Once that happens, I think we will be very successful for the Indy 500."
Earning victories in Edmonton and Fontana, Muñoz recorded five podiums, nine top-10s and a fith place championship finish with his 2012 Andretti Autosport FIL crew.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Tony George has resigned his position on the Hulman and Company board, effective immediately."Tony George has made the difficult decision to resign from the board because of his involvement with a group that has recently expressed an interest in purchasing the Hulman & Company-owned INDYCAR organization," said Jeff Belskus, Hulman & Company president and CEO. "While the business is not for sale and no offers to sell it have been considered or are being considered, we applaud Tony's efforts to resolve the appearance of a conflict and appreciate the gravity of this decision."
The announcement is the first confirmation from either party on the rumored interest in an INDYCAR buyout.

"I realize that my recent efforts to explore the possibility of acquiring INDYCAR represent the appearance of a conflict, and it is in everyone's best interest that I resign from the Hulman & Company board," Tony George said. "It goes without saying that I want to do what is best for this organization."

Friday, October 12, 2012

Holding coaching duties for the 2nd annual Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IZOD IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden set down to talk about the test, what advice he'd give a 17-year-old Josef, whether or not he's still a rookie and more.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Wednesday the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was home to Day 1 of 2 of the 2nd annual Chris Griffis Mazda Road to Indy Open Test. Designed to showcase the up-and-coming drivers on INDYCAR's ladder system to the IZOD IndyCar Series, 48 car/driver combinations between the three series turned laps.

Antii Buri led the 23-car USF2000 field with a best lap of 1:28:135 (102.688mph), while Team Pelfrey's Spencer Pigot turned out a lap at 1:25:603 (105.725mph) in is Star Mazda machine.

Zach Veach, behind the wheel of a Firestone Indy Lights Dallara for just the 3rd time, was quickest among the 13-car FIL field with a quick lap of 1:19:2209 (114.256mph.)